Experimental Observation of a Radiative Wave Generated in Xenon by a Laser-Driven Supercritical Shock

Abstract

First experimental evidence of a radiative wave propagating ahead of a supercritical shock is given. An aluminum piston driven by laser light at wavelengths of 1.06 and 0.35 \ensuremath{\mu}m induces the shock wave in xenon gas. The plane piston velocity ranges from 2.5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{6}$ to 1.2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{7}$ cm\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and the gas pressure is up to 6 bars. Experimental results are in good agreement with a simple analytical model of the propagation of a radiative wave in front of a supercritical shock wave when the approximation of radiation heat conduction is assumed.